DO YOU REALLY SICK!

The Blessed Buddha once noted:

There are these three kinds of bodily sick people:

One will recover by himself, even without any doctor or any medicine..

One will never recover, even if treated by the best doctor & best medicine..

One will only recover if treated by right medicine and a good doctors advice..

It is for the sake of this last person, that doctors work and medicine is made! 

Similarly with those mentally infected by illness of greed, hate & ignorance!

There are these three kinds of mentally sick people:

One will cure & free himself, even without meeting this Buddha-Dhamma...

One will never be cured, even if taught this Dhamma by the Buddha himself...

One will be cured & freed, if & only if, taught & learning this Buddha-Dhamma...

It is for the sake of this last type of person, that this Dhamma should be shared!

SUNSETS

Yet another sunset towards Death’s domain.
Think not that one will ne’er die.
Inevitable it is
That many sunsets to Death’s lie shall lead!
(Translated from the Myanmar)
U Pandita, 
The Most Venerable Ledi Sayadaw

LIFE AND EMOTIONS

All those who go through life with firm resolve (determination) are those who are not in the habit of indulging their mind (senses). `Going through life without indulging one’s senses’ should be understood to mean `going through life without (yielding to) one’s emotions (or feelings)’.

Today, many people are wending (making) their way through life with much emotion. That is why they tremble (shudder) when they are faced with the good, the bad and the many and varied ways of this mundane world.

So, in converse, it must be understood that all those who go through life with their emotions (feelings) in the forefront are those without any firm resolve (determination) in life.

All those who place their emotions (feelings) in the forefront will be incapable of distinguishing between that which is right and that which is wrong. So, it is an example of having inferior (inadequate) wisdom, is it not? That is why if you consider yourself to be a person who is going through your life with firm resolve (determination), it is necessary for you to try and avoid putting your emotions (feelings) in the forefront. In other words, unlike the habit (nature) of people with inferior wisdom, you should never indulge your senses under any circumstances.

In that way, by placing wisdom in the forefront, you will be able to distinguish between right and wrong and thus lead a worthy life with strong and firm resolve (determination).

24-05-2010

5:00 p.m.

Cittala-taung Monastery,

Pa-Auk Tawya



Do You Really Respect On Buddha?

And the Lord said: "Ananda, prepare a couch facing the mark between these two sal trees, for I am uneasy and wish to lie down." So Ananda did as the Lord asked, and then the Lord lay down on his right side, resting one foot on another in the position of the lion, mindful and clearly conscious. Then suddenly, the two sal trees burst into full bloom out of season and the flowers rained down out of respect for the Tathagata. Celestial blossoms and heavenly sandalwood powder rained down, and heavenly music and voices could be heard, all out of respect for the Tathagata. 

Then the Lord addressed Ananda and said: "Look at these sal blossoms and heavenly flowers, sandalwood powder, music and voices. Yet, it is not like this that the Tathagata is respected, venerated, esteemed, worshipped and honoured with the highest respect. But the monk and nun, the layman and the laywoman, who abide by the Dhamma, walk the way of Dhamma, practise the Dhamma - it is they who respect, venerate, esteem, worship and honour the Tathagata with the highest respect. Therefore, abide by the Dhamma, walk the way of the Dhamma and practise the Dhamma. This is how you should train yourself." ( Digha Nikaya II.137 )

NOBILITY

Only those who are able to relinquish attachments are worthy of being described as "noble."

If the Dhamma (Truth) can be fully realized with intelligence …

If wordly possessions, prestige (rank) and status are not employed to determine one's true worth or ability, i.e., truth.

It can then be said that the virtues/pleasantness of relinquishment have been well comprehended (fully grasped).

In that case, such person is worthy of being (deserves to be) called "noble."

What else is there in the world that is more satisfying (gratifying) than to be seen as a "noble" person?

What else can be there more satisfying in the world than to realize the true meaning of "nobility?"

At this opportune time in this life, may all be endowed with stronger qualities/abilities to make the right choice.